2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack & Scat Pack Plus: Manahawkin Buyers Guide

What 130 more horsepower buys

The jump from R/T to Scat Pack isn't just a bigger number on the window sticker. The High-Output tune of the same 3.0L Hurricane six adds 130 hp and 62 lb-ft over the Standard-Output engine, for 550 hp and 531 lb-ft total, and it comes bundled with the hardware that actually lets you use it: Brembo brakes with real stopping power to match the extra speed, launch control for a clean start off the line, line lock for warming the rear tires (a genuine drag-strip feature, not just for show), and a dual-mode active exhaust that gives the six-cylinder a note closer to what long-time Charger fans expect. Add in the 20-inch wheels and the whole package reads as "the one built for people who plan to actually drive it hard," not just look fast in a parking lot.

None of that comes free at the pump — the High-Output engine requires premium gasoline, unlike the R/T's regular-fuel Standard-Output six. If you're cross-shopping the two trims, that's worth factoring into your real cost of ownership, not just the sticker price gap.

Scat Pack Plus: the comfort layer, not a power layer

Same story as R/T Plus, one trim up: Scat Pack Plus does not make more horsepower than the standard Scat Pack. It's the identical 550-hp engine with a Quick Order Package added — Head-Up Display, 360-degree camera, a 16-inch digital driver display, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, wireless charging, and navigation, for roughly $4,995 more. Given that a Scat Pack is already a car people tend to keep for a while, the extra features (particularly the surround-view camera, genuinely useful for parking a wide performance car in a tight shore-town lot) can be worth having from day one rather than wishing for them later.

What owners notice day to day

A common question from Scat Pack shoppers is whether all that power translates into a car that's hard to live with. In practice, standard AWD does a lot of the work here — the extra torque doesn't overwhelm the front end the way a rear-drive-only muscle car might on a wet Route 72 on-ramp. Special-order performance trims like the Scat Pack often mean a wait between placing the order and driving it home, and that's exactly the stretch where communication matters most. One Manahawkin Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram buyer, Mike S., wrote that salesperson Jim Pluchino "was in constant contact through the whole process and kept me up to date on the status of my Charger order until the day I walked out with the keys," calling it the easiest car-buying process he'd had. That kind of follow-through matters as much as the spec sheet when you're waiting on a build slot.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Scat Pack faster than the R/T?

Yes — the High-Output engine's 550 hp is a meaningful step up from the R/T's 420 hp, and the Scat Pack's 0-60 time is quicker as a result. It also adds Brembo brakes and launch control, hardware built specifically to use that extra power safely.

Is Scat Pack the same as R/T Scat Pack from previous generations?

Not quite — the naming carries over, but the 2026 Scat Pack uses the new twin-turbo Hurricane six, not the naturally aspirated V8 that wore the Scat Pack badge in earlier Charger generations. It's a different engine architecture with a different power delivery, even though the performance intent is the same.

How much is a 2026 Charger Scat Pack?

MSRP starts at $54,995 for the 2-door and $56,995 for the 4-door, excluding the $1,995 destination charge, New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax, title, and registration. Scat Pack Plus starts at $59,990 for the same reasons — the comfort package, not more power. See the dealer's current offers for the latest pricing.

What fuel does the Scat Pack need?

Premium gasoline. The High-Output engine tune requires it — using regular fuel isn't recommended and can affect performance and, over time, engine health.

The bottom line

Scat Pack is the Charger for buyers who want the performance reputation to be more than a badge — 550 hp, Brembo brakes, and the hardware to actually use both, with standard AWD keeping it usable on a Jersey Shore commute in any weather. Manahawkin Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has Scat Pack and Scat Pack Plus Chargers on the lot on Route 72 for a test drive.